by Danny Craig
Staff Writer
With players and fans dubbing Saturday night’s game as, “the real SCIAC championship,” it was clearly a heartfelt loss when the University of La Verne football team was defeated by Redlands University, 22-21, at Ted Runner Stadium.
When the fourth quarter had seven minutes and forty-two seconds remaining, and Leopards receiver Rashard Magee returned a punt 66 yards for his second score, there were few who envisioned La Verne’s defeat. After the completion of the extra point, the Leopard’s led the game 21-7.
The Bulldogs then countered La Verne’s efforts on their next possession. Starting on their own 36-yard line, Redlands sparked a 74-yard drive that would conclude with running back Brandon Ford scoring off a 17-yard run up the middle with 4:41 remaining.
On the extra point attempt, La Verne blocked the initial kick, but was unable to stop Bulldogs place setter Marty Rincoln, who picked up the ball and carried it into the right side of the end zone for two points, making the score 21-15.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Leopards recovered an on-side kick at the Redlands 49-yard line, giving them favorable field position. Unfortunately for La Verne, four downs later a tightened Bulldogs defense forced the Leopards to punt.
“We just ran out of offense.” said head coach Don Morel, expressing what he felt was a pivotal moment in the game. “We needed to get a first down and could not do it.”
Redlands received the punt and began the final offensive drive of the game at their own 8-yard line. After marching 91 yards down the field, Redlands quarterback Danny Ragsdale connected with receiver Jeff Wray on the La Verne 1-yard line to create an intense third-and-goal situation.
Despite the efforts of a relentless Leopards goal-line defense, Ragsdale found a place in the end zone on a bootleg keeper for the touchdown. The extra point was completed with three seconds remaining making the final score 22-21 in favor of Redlands.
Having entered the competition with a 5-0, 3-0 SCIAC record, the Leopards fought a bout that was dictated by the passers both in the air and on the ground. Senior quarterback Dan Blahy, passing for 105 yards and rushing for 95 yards, met aggressively with the Bulldogs All-American candidate, Ragsdale, who led his offense with 392 yards in the air and scrambled for another 50 yards.
“Danny Ragsdale is the conference MVP already,” said Morel. “He beat us, he’s a great player.”
In the first half, La Verne came ready to compete with Ragsdale’s squad with seven possessions and numerous opportunities to score.
After two missed field goal attempts in the half, the Leopards first score of the game came at the conclusion of an eight-play, 71-yard drive that began at their own 29-yard line.
Blahy rolled out to hit sophomore running back Chris Huson for a 26-yard touchdown pass. With the completed extra point kick, the score was 7-0 La Verne at the half.
Before the conclusion of the second half, the third quarter provided both teams with a score.
With 11:53 left in the third quarter, Ragsdale completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Wray to go into the end zone. The extra point brought the Bulldogs into the game with the score of 7-7.
Before entering the fourth quarter, the Leopards brought a 61-yard drive to a close with a 12-yard Blahy to Magee connection to score. After the extra point, La Verne entered the concluding quarter with the score of 14-7.
After the game clock ran out, Blahy emotionally said, “They were a good team … they covered our guys really well.” Blahy and Morel both shared a contentment with the defensive efforts of the Leopards.
With their 5-1, 3-1 SCIAC record, La Verne will host Cal Lutheran University tomorrow at 1 p.m.
